Sunday Morning Worship Service

Well, Lord bless you. You may move to your seats. We greet you in the precious name of Jesus. So good to see everyone back in the house of the Lord. Most of all, it's wonderful to once again feel the mighty presence of Jesus himself in this house. If this is your first time to join with us here at First Apostolic Church, we welcome you. All those who are joining by way of the multimedia platforms, thank you for joining us as well. I hope you can be in a service with us very soon. I want to say a couple of more welcomes. First of all, I want to say welcome back home. been in the hospital. Glad to have Sister Philippia back home. Lord bless you, Sister Philippia. We're continuing to pray for your complete recovery in Jesus' name. And then I want to welcome a new couple for the first time. I want to welcome Jeff and Abby Lynn, newlyweds from last Saturday. Welcome. Good to have y'all back home. Lord bless you. And then to all the church family, thank you so much for your kindness and for your appreciation. Some of the younger kids said when I announced my birthday this year, I was supposed to do this with it. I'm not sure what that means, but that I'm 67 67. Uh I was also told that there's another one now that says 14 that you put. So I don't know what either one means. I'm I'm glad to be 67 considering the alternative if you stopped at 66. So, uh thank you so much for your kindness, your generosity, and I feel like that I am part of the greatest church family uh in the world. Thank you for always caring for us and for uh being there for First Apostolic Church. You are my family and I love you dearly. I give honor to our bishop and uh my mom uh Bishop and Sister Mcool. Love y'all dearly. Thank you for your guidance and your leadership. I give honor to my wife Jamie for putting up with me for 45 years. Am I right for Am I right? I'm getting close. Uh boy, if you forget that, you get in trouble. Uh so I love you. Uh to all of our pastoral staff, thank you for your kind words. Pastor Anthony, and uh uh to all of our our church family, all of our family, Pastor Whitley, all of our uh immediate family, and uh I'm I'm just blessed to be here and I'm thankful to be in the house of the Lord today. I want to call your attention to a passage of scripture found in the book of Leviticus. The book of Leviticus, we'll begin reading at verse number 10 in chapter 24. Leviticus 24, beginning at verse number 10. Give you a moment to find that if you're reading with us in whatever uh format you might be using. Leviticus 24 and 10. I say amen to all of the giving uh to Second Harvest uh food bank. And there's exciting news coming in the near future as we expand that ministry as an outreach of First Apostolic Church and our partnership with them. Leviticus 24:10. And the son of an Israelitish woman whose father was an Egyptian went out among the children of Israel. And this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp. And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses. His mother's name was Shilimothth, the daughter of Dra of the tribe of Dan. For a few moments this morning, I want to speak to you on this subject. What kind of church is this? What kind of church is this? Let's pray. Jesus, I thank you that we're back in your house. Lord, I thank you for the power that we have experienced when we call your name. Lord, I thank you that you have ordained it that everyone would be here this day. The power of the Holy Ghost speak through me. Not of my abilities, for I have few. But Lord, your anointed word touches us all and changes us if we receive and act on your word. We thank you. We praise you. We love you. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. And amen. What kind of church is this? I'm frequently asked and receive emails and correspondents requesting information about First Apostolic Church of Knoxville. The most frequent question, however, I'm asked from out in the community, if someone asks, uh, where do you go to church or where do you pastor? I tell them I pastor a First Apostolic Church of Donville. Many times folks will say, what kind of church is that? I was asked, I told you a few weeks back, to uh uh speak at a uh a community event uh that they had that was called Faith in Blue. It was sponsored by uh our community outreach leaders, the Knoxville Police Department, and all of our community faith-based folks. And they had folks from different denominations and different groups uh that spoke. and I was asked to speak and they really didn't tell me who I was representing. So when I got up I I told them that uh I pastor First Apostolic Church of Knoxville and I said I guess I represent all the noisy Pentecostals in Knoxville to which I got a rousing uh applause and cheer for that from many that was there. But I do frequently get asked the question, what kind of church is this? What are your church's core values? And anytime I'm asked this question, I am frequently frequently reminded of the text that I read in your hearing and a message I feel the Lord gave me on this subject many years ago. So today, I want to once again remind us all of what it truly means to be part of the apostolic church. I know that some of the things for some of you who have been here a while that I'll talk about today, you're already familiar with. Some of this text you've heard me preach from before. But I want to, as Peter said, stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. I want to remind us of some things that we already know today. In our text, I want you to notice the term is used. It said, "The son of an Israelitish woman." That term is used twice in verse 10. But this is the only place in the word of the Lord that the term Israelidish is used. The suffix is added to the end of the word Israelite. And this is the only time you'll find this term used in the lids of your Bible. That suffix is iish defined means having a touch or a trace of something. Now what does it mean to use that suffix ish? IF YOU SAY SOMETHING is reddish in color, what color is it? Is it maroon or is it pink? IF YOU'RE GOING ON A BLIND date and you say, "Well, WHAT DOES SHE LOOK LIKE?" And the person that's setting you up says she's prettish. It puts a pause, right? Oh, I'm going to set you up on A BLIND DATE. HOW DOES HE LOOK? HE'S HANDSOMEISH. uh you know that has a wide range of definition OR IF SOMEONE SAYS THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE coolish do I need a sweater or A PARKA IF SOMEBODY'S GOING TO PICK ME UP 8ISH IS THAT 7:45 or 8:15 it's kind of an indiscriminate nonspecific term somewhat of having a trace of are somewhat like. Well, we may use that suffix in a lot of situations, BUT IN ASKING WHAT KIND OF CHURCH we are today, heaven help us if we ever become an apostolicish church. >> IF WE'RE EVER DEFINED AS SOMEWHAT LIKE AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH. WE are Pentecostalish. You see, in the business community, sometimes people will struggle to even say the word. I've had folks call me up and and they're wanting to uh repeat our uh church name back to us and THEY'LL CALL US FIRST APPALISTIC CHURCH. And you'll you'll see folks pausing when they have to pronounce it. I remember when uh when Reggie White was married in our sanctuary, it was advertised in the paper that he was married in First Apostolic Baptist Church. In fact, several years ago, we were traveling on our Silver Eagle bus. And back then before cell phones and all of that good stuff that we communicate with now, the only way we communicated when we were driving, we had a citizens band radio, a CB radio, and you kept it tuned to channel 19, so you could hear all the truckers talk about what's and if there was if there was road construction or if there was uh a slowdown, they would start telling folks you need to take a detour, this and that. Well, during that time, we were on one of our our church trips and and back then, we had the name of the church uh plastered down the side, as Bishop USED TO SAY, AND BOX CAR LETTERS on the side of the bus. You you have to be careful to do that now because everybody wants to sue you when they see the name. They want to blame you FOR SOMETHING. BUT BACK THEN, WE HAD BOX CAR LETTERS DOWN THE SIDE OF OUR BUS SAID First Apostolic Church. Well, during that time frame, there was some issues going on governmentally and uh they had what was called, they called it, they were going to have a trucker strike. They were going to shut the country down to prove that we needed the fuel prices lowered. I mean, they were paying almost a dollar for a gallon of diesel back then. So the truckers began parking their trucks and the roads were eerily quiet when we were traveling. But there were a few gypsy truck drivers as they called them who wanted to stay on the road and keep working. and some of those who wanted to convince them to uh join in the strike began doing some things INCLUDING IT WAS PUBLICIZED NATIONWIDE THAT SOME FOLKS HAD EVEN SHOT THROUGH SOME OF THEIR TRUCKS. SO AS WE were journeying down the highway and it was eerily quiet, all of a sudden we heard a truck DRIVER ON THE QUIET CB. Somebody called his handle as they had them then and said, "Hey, what's your 1020?" That means what's your location and he said, "Well, I found me an insurance policy and I'm following it." AND THEY SAID, "WELL, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY AN INSURANCE POLICY?" HE SAID, "I FOUND A CHURCH BUS." AND HE was driving right up behind us thinking that nobody would take a shot at him that close to a church bus. So in a few minutes the person that was TALKING TO HIM SAID, "WELL, WHAT KIND OF CHURCH BUS IS IT?" HE SAID, "WAIT, LET ME GET UP HERE AND READ." In just a minute, HE SAID, "I BELIEVE THAT SAYS FIRST ALCOHOLIC CHURCH." WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THIS ANYWAY? WHAT KIND OF CHURCH ARE WE IN ANYWAY? THE TERM APOSTOLIC DEFINED MEANS LIKE THE APOSTLES. WEBSTER SAYS APOSTOLIC MEANS OF OR RELATING TO OR CONFORMING TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT APOSTLES. IN OTHER WORDS, FOLLOWERS OF JESUS. GUILTY. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE. WE ARE STILL AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH. WE STILL PREACH AND TEACH AND OBEY THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE. THAT'S WHAT WE WILL BE. WE WILL NOT BE SOMEWHAT LIKE THE APOSTLES. WE WILL NOT BE APOSTOLICISH. WE ARE AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH. [applause and cheering] NO PLANS ON CHANGING OUR NAME. WE'RE NOT GOING TO TRY TO FIND SOME NON-COMMITTAL, NONDESCRIPT NAME. WE ARE AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH. YES, WE'RE ON PLEASANT RIDGE ROAD, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE THE CHURCH AT THE RIDGE. WE ARE FIRST APOSTOLIC CHURCH. EPHESIANS SAID THIS IN Ephesians 2:19. Now therefore, YE ARE NO MORE STRANGERS AND FOREIGNERS, BUT FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS, AND OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, AND ARE BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE, IN WHOM ALL THE BUILDING FITLY FRAMED TOGETHER, GROWETH UNTO A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD, IN WHOM YOU ALSO ARE BUILDED TOGETHER FOR A HABITATION OF GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT. LET ME TELL YOU, GOD'S GOING TO DWELL WHERE HIS NAME IS. WE ARE STILL GOING TO BE A JESUS NAME APOSTOLIC CHURCH. >> WHY DO WE SING SONGS THAT SAY I CALL YOU JESUS? SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN WE START CALLING ON THE NAME OF JESUS. WHEN THAT MAN GOES DOWN IN WATER TODAY, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE NONDESCRIPT OR A TITLE. HE'S GOING TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF HIS SINS. >> THAT'S WHAT WE ARE. >> We still believe and teach the apostles doctrine. >> It's in our documentation of our school that this is what we believe. We believe the Bible to be THE INSPIRED, INFALLIBLE, AND AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD. NO MISTAKES IN THAT BOOK. IF YOU FIND A MISTAKE, YOU'RE THE ONE MISTAKEN. >> We believe that THERE IS ONE GOD, NOT A TRINITY, NOT THREE PARTS OF GOD. WE BELIEVE THERE IS ONE GOD, AND HIS NAME IS JESUS. THAT'S WHO WE ARE. THAT'S WHAT WE BELIEVE. OH HALLELUJAH. We believe in the deity OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, HIS VIRGIN BIRTH, HIS SINLESS LIFE, HIS MIRACLES, HIS VICARIOUS DEATH THROUGH SHED BLOOD, HIS ASCENSION, AND HIS PERSONAL RETURN TO POWER AND GLORY. HE DIED FOR OUR SINS. AND WE STILL STAND ON THAT PROMISE that he's coming back for his people. >> We're an apostolic church. We believe in repentance. water baptism in the name OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS and the infilling OF THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING WITH OTHER TONGUES. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. In other words, YOU GET THE HOLY GHOST IN YOU AND IT'LL COME OUT OF YOU. IT'LL MAKE YOU LIVE RIGHT. IT'LL, AS THEY USED TO SAY, IT'LL MAKE YOU WALK RIGHT, TALK RIGHT, AND SPIT RIGHT. >> We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost. THAT THEY ARE SAVED UNDER THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE AND THAT THEY ARE LOST UNDER THE RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION. There is no eternal security message that you cannot forfeit what you've done WHEN YOU LIVE IN SIN. WE BELIEVE IN THE SPIRITUAL UNITY of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. That means we ought to get along with each other. >> We're not We shouldn't be constantly fussing, fighting. What kind of church is this anyway? We believe IN THE PRACTICAL AND THE PRACTICE BIBLICAL HO PRACTICE OF BIBLICAL HOLINESS IN APPEARANCE AND LIFESTYLE. YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK LIKE THE PEOPLE OF GOD. HOLINESS AND HOMELINESS ARE NOT SYNONYMOUS TERMS. HOLINESS PEOPLE WILL BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FOLKS IN THIS WORLD. THEY WILL BE MODEST AND MODERATE. THEY WILL NOT BE INDECENT, BUT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOLLOWING JESUS. >> WE BELIEVE IN SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD. PREACHER, why do you say it's important to periodically review these concepts? I preached about it a couple of weeks back. BECAUSE SATAN IS A COUNTERFEITTER. HE LIKES TO CREATE CHEAP KNOCKOFFS OF THE REAL THING. HE IS SATISFIED WITH APOSTOLICISH CHURCHES AND PENTECOSTALISH WORSHIP. >> There's a MYRIAD OF GROUPS THAT CALL THEMSELVES CHURCHES. THEY ASSEMBLE IN THE SAME NAME of being a church, but they CONDONE AND PROPAGATE PERVERSION. GRACE TURNED INTO LASCIVIOUS LASCIVIOUSNESS. THERE'S EVEN ONE GROUP THAT CALLS HIMSELF ULTIMATE RESTORATIONIST. THEY BELIEVE THAT GOD'S GRACE IS SO FORGIVING AND ENCOMPASSING THAT Satan himself will be saved. Now I hope we in the house are spiritually with our spiritual intellect able to identify those kind of false ideologies. However, the true apostolic church is being compelled by a covert element that wants to feel what we feel, enjoy what we enjoy without commitment TO A COMPLETE APOSTOLIC LIFESTYLE AND DOCTRINE. THEY WOULD BE APOSTOLICISH OR SOMEWHAT LIKE AN APOSTOLIC. You see, it's interesting to see when the world gets churchy, but it's horrible when the church gets whirly. >> It's an oxymoron to have a whirly church. That's like having a cold fire, an honest thief, or a truthful liar. Just doesn't fit together. 2 Corinthians 6:17 SAID, "WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE, SAYETH THE LORD. TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN THING, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU." 1 PETER 1:16 SAID, "BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." IF YOU'RE GOING TO FOLLOW JESUS, YOU NEED TO BE HOLY. YOU NEED TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE BEFORE GOD. >> Let me be clear. The dividing line between the denominal world and the apostolic church will be the name of Jesus. >> However, people of THE NAME WILL DESIRE HOLINESS AND SEPARATION FROM THE world and WILL NOT BE APOSTOLICISH. YOU SEE, THERE'S IMPORTANCE IN THE NAME OF JESUS. >> Jesus lives where he puts his name. And if we don't want his name, he don't want to be here. Deuteronomy 12:5 said, "But unto the place WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD SHALL CHOOSE OUT OF ALL YOUR TRIBES TO PUT HIS NAME THERE, EVEN UNTO HIS HABITATION SHALL YE SEEK, AND THITHER THOU SHALT COME." NOW, this is Old Testament understanding. God himself was going to be where his name was. He lives where his name is. And here's what happens where his name is. and thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, YOUR SACRIFICE, YOUR TITHE, YOUR HEAVE OFFERINGS, OF YOUR HANDS, YOUR BOWS, YOUR FREE WILL OFFERINGS, AND THE FIRSTLINGS of your herd, of your flocks. UNDERSTAND, WE'RE in a new dispensation that there's no LONGER BLOOD SACRIFICE, BUT THE SACRIFICES of praise should be under the new covenant when we come into his house. The place where we go to praise, the place where we go for uh for repentance, the place where we go to get our sins forgiven, the places where we go to fellowship with his people. THERE NEEDS TO BE A HOUSE OF GOD THAT YOU GO TO. >> You should pay your tithe and give your offering where you get fed. I've heard some folks say, "I I saw so and so's podcast. I'm going to send them a portion of my tithe." Ain't no potion or portion, excuse me, of your tithe. Your tithe goes where you're getting fed. Your offering comes from the abundance that God has blessed you with. Verse seven said, "And in there, ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice on all that you put your hands unto do, and ye in your household, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee." We ought to be a rejoicing people, not walking around in the mubs all the time, looking for a dark cloud and a rainy day. We need to BE THE MOST JOYOUS FOLK. PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE. MAKE THE WORLD WONDER WHAT YOU'RE UP TO. YOU'RE FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST. YOU'VE BEEN BLOODBOUGHT. BE THANKFUL FOR ALL GOD'S DOING FOR YOU. WE NEED TO BE A JOYFUL PEOPLE, A JOY, A REJOICING PEOPLE. [applause and cheering] NOW, NEVER MISTAKE THE CHURCH WILL HAVE STRUCTURE. WHERE GOD IS, THERE WILL BE STRUCTURE. VERSE EIGHT SAID, "YE SHALL NOT DO AFTER ALL THINGS THAT WE DO HERE THIS DAY. EVERY MAN WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT IN HIS own eyes." This isn't a do your own thing. This ain't Burger King. You can't have it your way. We're going to do it God's way. Boy, I did date myself then. Some young folks said, "What was that?" I bet some of you even could go back to McDonald's and sing two all beef patties special sauce lettuce. No, >> THEIR STRUCTURE. FOR YE NOT AS YET COME TO THE REST TO the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you. THIS WAS A PROMISE OF what was GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THEY GOT TO the promised land. But when you go OVER JORDAN, AND DWELL in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when ye when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety, THEN THERE SHALL BE A PLACE WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD SHALL CHOOSE TO CAUSE HIS NAME TO DWELL THERE. GOD'S PEOPLE WERE SOJOURERS. They were on a journey to the promised land. I'M ON A JOURNEY TO HEAVEN. I WANT THIS PLACE, THIS TABERNACLE THAT WE DWELL IN. I WON'T BE HERE FOREVER. SOME OF THESE DAYS HE'S GOING TO CALL US AWAY. WHEN HE DOES, THE WORLD CAN HAVE 50/20 PLEASANT RIDGE ROAD. IT CAN BE THEIRS BECAUSE THERE'S A DAY WE'RE GETTING OUT OF HERE. >> I'M GOING TO A PLACE I STILL TRUST AND BELIEVE IF I'LL BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST. >> But in the meantime, this is this is where his name will be. THAT'S WHY WE BAPTIZE THE WAY WE DO. THAT'S WHY WE CELEBRATE the name of Jesus. What kind of church is this anyway? Some places, if you even mention being baptized in the name of Jesus, scare them to death. Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there. Thither shall you bring all that I command you, burnt offerings, your sacrifice, your tithe, heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice of vows which you vow unto the Lord. And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye your sons, your daughters, your men servants, YOUR MAID SERVANTS, LEVITES THAT is in that is within the gates. FOR AS MUCH AS HE HATH NO PART, NOR INHERITANCE WITH YOU, TAKE HEED TO THYSELF THAT THOU OFFER NOT thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seeest. Some folks are too comfortable with worshiping anywhere. There's too many homeless Christians running around. You better find a truth preaching apostolic church and put your roots down and let the Holy Ghost use you. You don't need to be going from here and there and everywhere. You need to have a home CHURCH THAT YOU'VE DECLARED. DON'T DON'T DON'T FIND YOURSELF LOOKING FOR EVERY PLACE AND EVERYTHING. YOU WILL FIND NOTHING BUT CONFUSION. FIND A HOUSE OF GOD AND PUT YOUR ROOTS DOWN AND STAY THERE. >> But I mentioned what kind of church is is this. Let me for a moment address what I would call apostolicish worship. Amos 6:1 said this. Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountains of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came. Pass you unto Kay, and see, and from thence go ye to the to Hoth the great. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Be they better than these kingdoms, or their borders greater than your border? Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near, that lith upon beds of ivory, stretches themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of THE STALL, THAT CHANT to the sound of the vo, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David, that drink wine and bowls, anoint themselves with chief ointments, but they are not greed. grieved for the afflictions of Joseph. Understand, David sang songs because he'd been delivered. >> Too many nowadays are singing songs that are somewhat worshipful because they have gluttonous intentions. Sadly, there are many that sing gospelish songs and live like the devil, look like a slum bum, whatever that is, and try to adopt anything but the lifestyle of one who follows Christ. I can live any old way. I can do any old thing. Oh, but I can spin lyrics and make impressive chord progressions. That doesn't make it worship unto God. >> The intent of your heart, the reason for your singing. If we ever find ourselves as an apostolic church thinking that all our music is all that in a shirt pocket, we think we're so great. We're so talented. Listen, this is not about talent that we have, but it's about praise and worship and adoration to God. Why does the choir come out here early? Why do musicians and praise team members and technicians come out here early? IS IT FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT SHOW? ABSOLUTELY NOT. WE'RE NOT HERE TO ENTERTAIN BUT ONE INDIVIDUAL, AND THAT'S TO ENTERTAIN THE PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD. AND IN TURN, WE'LL GIVE WORSHIP AND PRAISE. WHEN OUR PRAISES GO UP, HIS BLESSINGS WILL COME DOWN. HE'LL SHOW UP SAY, "I HEARD MY NAME. I FELT SOMEBODY CALLING MY NAME." YOU SEE, HE IS OMNIPRESENT. HE'S EVERYWHERE. BUT HE DOES NOT MANIFEST HIMSELF EVERYWHERE. >> HE WANTS TO BE WHERE PRAISE AND GLORY AND ADORATION AND HONOR, PRAISE TEAM MEMBERS KEEP PRACTICING, MUSICIANS KEEP PRACTICING, CHOIR KEEP, >> what kind of church is this anyway? This past Friday, I got to see just a little bit of video. You see, every Friday here at Apostolic Christian School, they have Elevate Chapel and worship service. And normally our high school students lead that praise and worship time. And and man, what an awesome job they do singing and playing, doing all the technology. Our our students do that. They're training to be right here. >> But this past Friday, the high school students had a field trip. So, you know what happened? The elementary and middle school was in charge of the service. You know what I saw? I saw a sixth grade praise team, a fifth grade and under choir singing. You know what? Oh, brother Mcool. That's crazy. You got those kids up. Same age kids. >> Y'all know where I'm going, don't you? >> You'll buy them $150 pair of Jordans thinking they're going to be able to fly. >> Listen, if you want them to fly, get them worship and praise. Well, I'm I'm not speaking against playing ball. Our kids play ball, but they keep it in proper proportion. Let me tell you, I want my children to know how to WORSHIP AND PRAISE. WHY? BECAUSE THERE'S ANOTHER GENERATIONS OF APOSTOLIC COMING. YOUR GRANDBABIES, YOUR GREAT GRANDBABIES. I WANT THERE TO BE A PLACE THAT THEY'RE NOT ASHAMED. UH PREACHER, AREN'T YOU WORRIED ABOUT THESE LITTLE ONES BEING DOWN HERE AROUND THE ALTAR? HEAVENS, NO. THEY'RE NOT TOO SMALL TO WORSHIP THE LORD. THEY MAY NOT EVEN KNOW ALL THAT'S GOING ON, BUT LET THEM MIMIC SOMEBODY ELSE. LET THEM MIMIC A PRAISER AND A WORSHSHIPER. SOMEDAY THE HOLY GHOST IS GOING TO TAKE OVER AND SHAKE THEM AND QUAKE THEM. >> HALLELUJAH. I feel the Holy Ghost in this house today. You see, 2 Timothy 3:5 said, "Having a form of godliness, but not denying the power thereof, from such turn away." We cannot have a form of godliness. WE MUST BE GODLY IN every fashion and every praise, EVERY BIT OF OUR PRAISE AND WORSHIP. WELL, I've been pointing my fingers out this way. Let's do this. What about apostolicish preachers? I'm talking about those anything goes folk. >> Oh, they still believe the truth. You cannot separate holiness from truth. >> I said, "Don't tell me that they still believe the truth. They just don't practice holiness. Then they haven't got all the truth." Right. >> Acts 20:28 says, "TAKE HEED THEREFORE UNTO YOURSELVES, AND TO ALL THE FLOCK, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL men arise speaking perverse things TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES after them. Bishop and Sister Mcool came here 68 years ago and established an apostolic church in a tent. If God carries, they're not going to be here forever. Neither am I. Bishop's 89. I'm 67. Let me tell you, if the Lord carries when I depart, there's another generation, another generation, another generation, another generation. This is still going to be an apostolic church, not an apostolicish church. We are not going to fade from the tenants of the faith from from being followers of Christ. Yes. >> You see, we will not speak perverse things to draw away disciples. It's not about my ministry. It's not about me being adored. It's about Christ being lifted up. I've heard some ministers say, "Well, I'm tired. It's not my job to tell people how to live anymore." Uh, no. Wait a minute. What did it say? that you would be overseers >> to feed the church. What's the deep theological meaning of being an overseer? That means you ought to see over things. >> Is that too deep for me? >> That means you have a responsibility if you're going to stand behind this desk to love people, to care about people, but speak against sin and speak against wrong. Not in any Well, Pastors must not cannot be brutes. Jeremiah 10:20 said this, "My tabernacle is spoiled and all my cords are broken. My children have gone forth of me. They are not. There is none to stretch forth my tent anymore to set up my curtains." In other words, the church has BEEN SCATTERED. FOR WHY WAS IT SCATTERED? FOR THE PASTORS ARE BECOME brutish and have not sought the Lord. THEREFORE THEY SHALL NOT PROSPER. ALL THEIR FLOCKS SHALL BE SCATTERED. BEHOLD, the noise OF THE BROOD IS COME. A GREAT COMMOTION OUT OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TO MAKE THE CITIES OF Judah desolate and dens of dragons. So-called pastors who enjoy beating up, denigrating, and belittling the church are nothing more than brutes. >> We can cry out against sin, but we're not here to beat up on the flock. THE CALL OF THE JUDGMENT OF GOD down by my voice doesn't mean a thing. I'M NOT GOING TO CALL THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD DOWN ON YOU. I DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO SO. ALL I CAN DO IS PREACH THE TRUTH FOR ME TO TRY TO BULLY. >> I said, I going to preach to the preachers. Now, >> when we find those who delight IN PREDICTING AND PROPHESYING GLOOM, DOOM, and despair. JESUS CAME TO SAVE THIS WORLD, NOT BEAT THIS WORLD UP. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THERE'S HOPE FOR YOU. WE HAVE A GOD OF ABUNDANT GRACE, A GOD OF FORGIVENESS. HE CARES ABOUT YOU. HE DON'T WANT YOU TO STAY IN YOUR SIN. AND IF I GET SOME PERSONAL AGENDA THAT IF YOU CAN'T BE IN MY CHURCH, IF I BECOME CASTLE-MINDED INSTEAD OF KINGDOM-MINDED, I'm becoming a brute. >> Said, "Behold, the noise of the brute has come." Notice it didn't say the preaching. It's noise. Those who call down the judgments of God do not fit God's agenda. They have a personal agenda. A brute defined is a savagely violent person. Their messages are are little more than a great commotion. I don't know about it coming out of the North Country. I've heard a lot of preaching that sound like the wind blowing out of the south. A lot of hot air. Verse 23 said, "Oh Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his path. Oh Lord," didn't say, "Oh pastor," it said, "Oh Lord, correct me but with judgment, not in thy anger. Lest thou bring me to nothing. Oh, but brother Mcool. Remember Jesus used a whip. Yeah. On the money changers, not on the sheep. >> He said, "I'm the good shepherd." He said, "Feed my sheep. Butchers kill sheep." A real pastor will feed the sheep and whip away the wolves. Jude said it this way in Jude 3 and 4. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. We are contenders. For there are certain men crept in unaware who were before of old ordained to this condemnation. ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. CREEPS ARE UNGODLY. They crept. They're creeps. Jude 5 said, "I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew it." That's what we're doing today. how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believe not. The Lord does the destroying. That's not for man to do. And the angel who has not kept HIS FIRST ESTATE, BUT LEFT THEIR OWN HABITATION, HE HATH RESERVED AN EVERLASTING change under darkness under the judgment of the great day. Satan himself, even as Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance OF ETERNAL FIRE. LIKEWISE ALSO THESE FILTHY DREAMERS DEFILE THE FLESH, despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities. The word will give us direction. The preached word ministered in love and care will give direction. It will give correction. It will bring encouragement. It will bring grace and salvation. Praise team and musicians, get ready. Baptismal candidate, if you could start your way. Let me take us to a close. Our original text in Leviticus, it said, "And the Israelites woman son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed." Why did he do this? Why did he act this way? He probably didn't know any better. He was a mixed breed mongrel who didn't know what to believe. He was part Egyptian. Mama was Israelitesish, but she wasn't all Israel. You see, you better be careful what you marry into. It'll come out in your children. He was likely confused and frustrated because of the multiple influence in his life. The Egyptians had multiple gods. The Israelites knew the one true God, but could not in this dis dispensation even speak his name audibly. This boy was unlearned and frustrated, so he cursed God. He had been taught no respect for God, which sounds like a generation that we are all familiar with nowadays. You see, it's one thing to get out of Egypt, but you got to get Egypt out of you. Parents, please teach this next generation to respect the things of the God, to keep the Sabbath day holy, to respect his house, to care the empathy that's being taught. I'm I'm so impressed with the kids of our school. Oh, there's a little incentive. Before that monetary incentive ever came about, they were kids. What can we bring? What how can we help? We've heard that there's going to be a need in our community. We need to stress having an empathetic, caring spirit for those around us. This is not a fortified castle that we're trying to keep people out. >> This is a safety zone, a spiritual hospitality. We want folks coming in that we can minister to. Uh, do you want them to change? You better know I do. Cuz Jesus loves you so much when he brings you in. He won't leave you LIKE YOU LIKE HE FOUND YOU. HE WANTS to change you. >> But here's what happened in this dispensation. Verse 12. And they put him in a ward that the mind of the Lord might be showed them. They prayed about this situation. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp. Let all that heard him lay hands on him upon his head, and let the congregation stone him." This was a different dispensation. This was the sin unto death to curse God. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever cursth his God shall bear his sin, and he that blaspheth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him, as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blaspheth the name of the Lord shall be put to death. The lack of respect for human life is now returning on another generation. Let me say that again. The lack of respect for human life in our own nation is now returning on the heads of other generation. The selfish attitude that I can live a promiscuous life and murder an unborn baby in my womb because it's about me. Is now turning in other generations to say it's all right to euthanize the elderly if they're not as productive as society thinks they can be to eliminate the infirmed. Oh, we'll we'll do tests and before your child is born, we'll see if they have a propensity to have some kind of malady. We can eliminate that child from being I realize this isn't a politically correct point of view, but I'll say again, I'm not even politically concerned. God values human life. And if we ever allow the church to become stale and apathetic toward the value of human life, we will stop being the church that Christ wants us to be. So I ask you today, do you want to be a part of a milktoast, generic, diluted, watered down, powerless denomination? Or do you want to be part of a powerfilled truth teaching apostolic church? I say that's no option. Stand with me. We must be followers of Christ and be the apostolic church we've been called to be. Leviticus 20:7 said, "Sanctify yourselves, therefore, and be ye holy, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep my statutes and do them. I am the Lord which sanctify you." What does that term sanctify mean defined? It means set apart AS OR DECLARE holy to consecrate. You see, sanctification brings a separation from the unholy and an obedience to God's law. Joshua 3 and5 Joshua said to the people sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you if we will be a sanctified church a set aart church one not ashamed to be go called the people of the name notaughty not proud not self-righteous But thankful for the revelation of the Jesus name message. Thankful that we can call him Jesus. You see, cuz everything changes when you call that name. WHAT DOES THE SONG SAY? IT SAYS change break. When I call his name, praise team, get out here. I want to hear you sing. And here's what I want to happen in this church. If you are committed and reminded today of the importance of being a part of the apostolic church, not just this assembly, but all of those who PROCLAIM WE ARE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. WE WILL follow the apostles doctrine. We will be obedient to the word. The name of JESUS WILL BE PREEMINENT in our life if you will step forward with fresh proclamation and fresh determination. If you don't know him, come and repent today. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BAPTIZED, WE'LL BAPTIZE YOU IN Jesus name. The Holy Ghost is for you today. Get what you need from the Lord as we sing. Hallelujah.